Issues to be discussed by Minister Ottenheimer with his federal colleagues include federal presence within Newfoundland and Labrador, 5 Wing Goose Bay and the Gander Airport.

"The issue of a diminished federal presence in Newfoundland and Labrador, particularly as it relates to regional offices and senior executive positions, is an issue I plan to discuss with my federal counterpart Minister Ambrose today," said Minister Ottenheimer. "It is critically important for federal government departments, especially those that are of particular relevance to our province, to have decision makers who reside and work here and understand our vast potential and unique circumstances."

Minister Ottenheimer will meet Thursday with the Honourable Rona Ambrose, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, followed by a meeting with the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Newfoundland and Labrador�s representative in the federal Cabinet. On Friday he will meet with the Honourable Gordon O�Connor, Minister of National Defence.

"I look forward to meeting with Minister Hearn, Newfoundland and Labrador�s representative in the federal cabinet, and discussing various issues of importance to this province," continued Minister Ottenheimer. "I especially look forward to having a discussion about the future of the Gander Airport and the role the federal government can play in its long-term prosperity."

"The future of 5 Wing Goose Bay and the commitments of the federal government to the base, including a Rapid Response Battalion and an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron, and the importance of these commitments to Labrador will be the number one priority of my meeting with Minister O�Connor," stated Minister Ottenheimer. "We have a written commitment from Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which Minister O�Connor has publicly reiterated as late as last week. Nevertheless, I want to discuss their guarantees face-to-face with the minister and impress upon him the importance of 5 Wing to Labrador, and the province as a whole.

"Given the federal government is approaching its budget day, along with the possibility of a federal election in the near future, I believe it is important to meet with these federal ministers and remind them of their commitments to Newfoundland and Labrador and our intentions to hold them to their promises."

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Media contact:
Ken Morrissey
Communications Specialist
Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat
709-729-6026, 690-0525
kenmorrissey@gov.nl.ca